Oshten, mountain: legends, height

From the city of Maykop (the capital of Adygea) on a clear day you can see a majestic mountain peak covered with eternal snows. This is Oshten - the mountain, which is a part of the Fisht-Oshtensky range. From the mountain Fisht it is separated by a deep gorge.

origin of name

From the Adyghe language, the name of the mountain of Oshten is translated as "eternal snow". Largely due to these glaciers, located to the west and below other glaciers of the Caucasus range, the mountain is known for fans of mountain ascents in our country. It was the climbers who gave Oshten the second name - "the mountain where the ax is dropped". It is explained by the inaccessibility of its peaks.

From the south and north of the mountain there are tourist routes. There is something to see for both beginners and experienced conquerors of peaks. In the north, the mountain Oshten (photo you see below) rises with picturesque stone ridges. And on its southern slopes, in addition to magnificent landscapes, you can meet graceful animals - Caucasian chamois, which in small herds pass from one rock to another.

History

In addition to the listed names, this mountain has several more. One of them is "the peak that collects rain and hail". Abadzekhi, who for centuries inhabited the mountainous territories of Adygea, were sun worshipers. For them, there was a sacred Oshten. The mountain, or rather its summit, became for them a sanctuary. There is a version that it could be named after Ashtan - the Hittite god of the sun.

Scientists claim that millions of years ago there was a sea floor, and the current mountains in those days were coral reefs. Therefore today the former bottom of the sea - Fisht-Oshten mountain range with the peaks of Oshten, Pshekho-Su and Fisht - is called the "coral island". This huge, almost three-kilometer high sea reef, consisting of sandstone, is permeated with coral branches.

Mount Oshten: where is it?

The coordinates of the mountain are 44 ° 00 's. W. And 39 ° 56 'in. Etc. It forms a mountain massif with Mount Fischt, with a wide peak torn in several parts. Along it is a path leading to the Shitlibsky or Belorechensky pass (1,905 m), to the valley of the Shahe river, which extends to the Black Sea. The mountains of Oshten and Fisht are the first peaks that are located from the west of the Caucasian ridge, which rise to the height of the snow line.

Description Oshten

This majestic mountain is the second highest peak of this mountain massif. It consists of limestone. The height of the mountain is 2 804 meters. On this indicator, it is slightly inferior to its neighbor - Mount Fisht, whose height is 2,867 meters. From the wide and flat summit of Oshten, which can accommodate about a hundred people at the same time, there are scenic views of the snow-covered slopes of Psheho-Su and Fisht, the Tooth of Fish, its Small and Large Glaciers.

Rivers

On the north side of the mountain are the alpine meadows of the Lago Naki plateau, the rock ridges of the mountain ridges and the picturesque canyons of the rivers Tsits and Kurdzips, which carry their waters to the north.

The White, Teplyak and Armenianka rivers originate on the southern slopes. The Armenian is very popular among tourists, who are attracted by a grandiose canyon and beautiful waterfalls. Here trout is caught, and the slopes are covered with blueberry bushes, which in these places are unusual: shrubs reach a height of two meters, and berries - the size of a large grape.

Fauna

The slopes of the mountain are inhabited by Caucasian chamois. The locals call them black goats. This is a very rare species that is listed in the Red Book. The population of these animals in recent years has greatly decreased. Often they become prey to wolves or poachers.

In addition to chamois, Sivertsev's goats were inhabited here for many years. Nowadays, they can see their tourists only in the zoo. But noble deer here can still be found, however, quite rare.

Oshten in winter

Just before the summit, in the east, Oshten has a circus bowl. It is covered with layers of snow. In Soviet times, skiers from the USSR Olympic team quite often descended the slope of Lago-Naki. Snow cover here does not disappear even at the highest temperatures of air. The length of the slope is about 400 meters.

The steep rocky crests on the northern slope of the mountain, covered with snow, amaze with their beauty. Sparkling fluffy blanket covers and a wide canyon east of the peak of Oshten. It goes down under a big slope, but the most desperate lovers of downhill skiing down it on skis.

Legends

Numerous folk tales and legends cover Mount Fisht and Mount Oshten. Legends about them here are passed on from generation to generation, and the guardians gladly retell their guests. One of them we will tell you.

It happened in those old-long times when proud and freedom-loving mountaineers freely lived on the land of their ancestors. They sowed huge arable land, grazed cattle, engaged in fishing and hunting. And nothing foreshadowed that a misfortune was approaching this peaceful people. But what can be - that can not be avoided. And one day, like a black thundercloud, hordes from the sea moved to the land of hordes of enemies who were famous for their cruelty.

They began to kill helpless old men and young and strong men, and they steal women and children into slavery. And then the council of elders assembled to decide how to defeat the insidious enemy, how to liberate his native land. The old people thought for a long time and decided that they had only one way out: to fight to the last drop of blood.

But wise old men did not want to throw all the forces at once. They decided to divide them into three parts, so that each of them became a formidable shaft that would roll on the enemy and turn him into flight.

The first squad consisted of gray-haired elders, led by Fisht, an experienced warrior. The old fighters were not accustomed to heavy campaigns and bloody battles, they had seen much in their time. They were not afraid of the weight of the shields, and the sound of swords was like beautiful music to them. The old men fought desperately. Many enemies laid their heads on the battlefield. But the forces were not equal, and the old people perished, all to one.

Then a young squadron came out against the enemy, led by the brave Oshten. Boldly fought the sons of the dead old people. Several days and nights the battle lasted. But in the battle fell and the team of Oshtena.

And then the hope remained only for the youngest warriors. The grandsons of the deceased old men were led by young Lago to battle. The boys fought for a long time and fearlessly. He was mortally wounded in the battle of Lago. The horse brought the body of a dying warrior to the house of his bride, the beautiful Naki. The brave girl wore the armor of her lover and led the remnants of the squad to the enemy.

And the enemy could not stand such power. He ran to the sea and never returned to this land. Ever since, the gray-headed mountains of Oshten and Fisht have been silently standing on the Adyghe land, and next to them is the young highlands of Lago-Naki.

Oshten (mountain): climbing

By train you need to come to Maikop. Quite often, groups are formed here who want to conquer the summit of Oshten. The mountain does not have a very high altitude, so it is quite suitable for beginners alpinists. Going to this mountain is not a dangerous climb. Rather, it will be an exciting journey.

The way to the mountain will not take long - one day is enough. Therefore, tourists do not need to carry the stuffed backpacks. The most suitable time for such a campaign is spring. Of course, if you want, you can organize a hike in the cold season. But in this case, a novice conqueror of vertices will need an instructor who will insure on difficult areas.

There are several routes to the summit of Oshten. The mountain can be conquered by both tourists and professional alpinists.

The most popular is the way from Yavorovoe glade. It is loved by tourists. The route stretches for 17 km.

If you want to admire the picturesque waterfalls and streams, then the road through Zmeinoye Lake will be more suitable for you, which will take you to the Cobbled Creek, where you will see the unprecedented beauty of waterfalls. This route ends in a tent parking near Mount Blyam. The distance to one side is 11.5 km.

The longest path is through the Lago Naki plateau. This route is usually chosen by travelers on cars. On the plateau of the huntsman for a very modest fee will be guarded by your car, until you storm the top.